Sermon by The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace
“Setting Us Free to See”
Sunday, January 28, 2018

“How might his teaching, that teaching with authority, move us closer to fulfilling the promises we made in our baptisms: to seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for justice and peace, to respect the dignity of all people…How might we do that, beginning right here, right now, with each other, in this place.” From The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace’s sermon on Sunday, January 28, 2018.

The Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.